Fremantle names Indian MD

FremantleMedia has promoted from within to name a new MD at its Indian division.

Aradhana Bhola

Aradhana Bhola assumes the role at FremantleMedia India immediately, filling a position that had been vacant since Anupama Mandloi’s resignation two years ago.

Based in Mumbai, Bhola reports to Ian Hogg, FremantleMedia’s regional CEO for Australia & Asia Pacific. She is responsible for managing all development and production operations in India and building relationships with broadcast and digital partners throughout the country.

Bhola joined FremantleMedia India in 2012 as creative director and was promoted to head of content in 2015, working on shows such as India’s Got Talent for local network Colors, Indian Idol for Sony and Covershot for National Geographic Channel. Her other previous roles include VP of programming at Star Plus and head of programming at Zoom.

FremantleMedia India opened its office in 2009. Last year it produced its first web series, Confessions – It’s Complicated, which launched exclusively on Facebook. A second season is in development.

Hogg described Bhola as a “class act” whose “experience and understanding” would help the company to “unlock the many exciting creative and commercial opportunities” in the country.

Mandloi was hired by Fremantle in 2010 and stepped down in August 2015. Several months earlier, the firm had rejigged its senior management teams in Asia to hand more autonomy to local divisions.